Janice Dickinson is suing ITV for approximately €800,000 after allegedly suffering serious injuries during filming of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, according to court documents.
The 70-year-old US fashion icon claims she was taking sleeping medication provided by an ITV-employed medic when she suffered a late-night fall on set in 2023. Legal papers state the medication can cause drowsiness and impaired balance, leaving her “particularly vulnerable” while moving around the camp after dark.
@imacelebrity Not @Janice Dickinson speaking to her Campmates like they’re criminals 😭 #ImACeleb ♬ original sound - I'm A Celebrity...
Dickinson has launched a £700,000 (€800,000) legal action, alleging she sustained “permanent facial deformities and nerve damage” as a result of the incident. The case has been filed at London’s High Court by law firm Taylor Hampton, according to reports.
Court documents claim the fall occurred in the early hours of the morning while Dickinson was heading to the toilet. It is alleged she tripped in the dark, suffering injuries to her face and wrists. Sources close to the star say she has been left with deep scarring and facial nerve damage, with lasting effects on movement and sensation.
Medical opinions cited in the claim reportedly state that Dickinson’s injuries are not capable of surgical or non-surgical correction. It is further alleged that the incident has had a devastating impact on her career, particularly given her long association with the fashion and modelling industry, where appearance remains central.
Dickinson has previously described the fall as “the most frightening night of my life.” The lawsuit claims that greater care should have been taken given the known side effects of the medication and the challenging conditions of the filming environment.
I’m A Celebrity… South Africa was a spin-off of the long-running ITV reality series, bringing back former contestants to compete in a harsher, non-live format. Filming took place in a remote outdoor setting, with contestants navigating uneven terrain, limited lighting and minimal comforts.
@imacelebrity It’s deja vu-vuzela! 📯 #ImACeleb South Africa starts Monday at 9pm #tiktokpoll ♬ original sound - I'm A Celebrity...
Dubbed the world’s first supermodel, Janice Dickinson rose to fame during the 1970s and 1980s, becoming one of the most recognisable faces of the fashion industry at its commercial peak. She appeared on the covers of major international fashion magazines, including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Cosmopolitan, and became a regular presence on runways and in campaigns at a time when the modelling world was becoming increasingly global and celebrity-driven. Dickinson worked with leading designers including Gianni Versace, Valentino and Calvin Klein, and was known for her striking look, outspoken personality and ability to command high-profile bookings across Europe and the United States.
Her influence extended beyond print and runway work, with Dickinson widely credited as part of the generation that helped transform models into public figures rather than anonymous mannequins. As the fashion industry evolved, she successfully transitioned into television, introducing her personality to a broader audience. She later became a household name through her role as a judge on America’s Next Top Model, where her blunt critiques and industry experience made her a standout figure across multiple seasons.
Beyond fashion-focused programming, Dickinson has appeared in a range of reality television shows, talk shows and documentaries, often discussing the pressures of the modelling industry, fame and personal struggles. Her media presence has kept her in the public eye for decades, cementing her status as a controversial but enduring figure in popular culture.
ITV has not publicly commented on the legal action. The case remains ongoing, with the court expected to determine whether the broadcaster bears responsibility for the injuries Dickinson alleges she sustained during filming.
